Tim Anderson looking for bounce-back year with Miami Marlins

This is a smart move for both sides. 

Anderson had the least productive season of his career last year while dealing with knee and shoulder issues. He hit just one home run in 123 games, with his lowest batting average since 2018 (.245) and his most strikeouts since 2019 (122). 

He also struggled on defense, with an MLB-worst -16 defensive runs saved (DRS) for shortstops according to FanGraphs, meaning that his play resulted in 16 more runs allowed compared to the average player at his primary position. 

If this is the player he's become at this stage of his career, the Marlins can move on from him after the season.

But before 2023 he recorded four consecutive seasons with a batting average over .300, had a positive DRS in 2020 and 2021 and was an All-Star in 2021 and 2022.

If Anderson's poor performance last year was a result of his injuries and his production in 2024 makes 2023 an aberration rather than a pattern, he'll be a key cog in a team hoping to build on a playoff berth that ended with a sweet in the National League Wild Card round to the Philadelphia Phillies. 

For Anderson, a return to form on a one year deal would also give him the opportunity to cash in with a more lucrative contract next offseason. 

This is a savvy move for the Marlins, who have been quietly improving over the last three seasons. It still doesn't make them a true contender in a stacked National League. 

Just within their own division, Miami must compete with the juggernaut that the Atlanta Braves have built as well as the big-spending New York Mets and Philadelphia Phillies.  But the bigger issue is the Los Angeles Dodgers, who dominated the offseason with acquisitions headlined by Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto.

Adding Anderson doesn't put Miami in the World Series conversation, but it could be enough to help the Marlins win their first postseason game since 2003.